Good Questions: Hiding the Monstrously Ugly AC Unit?

Hello AT,

I love my new apartment but hate its ugly airconditioning units. I like that we don't have to block our windows with air conditioners, but the built-in units are hard on the eyes. Aside from throwing a blanket over them when they're not in use, do you have any ideas for concealing these monstrosities?

Carrie in Brooklyn

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

Dear Carrie,

Personally, we find the tight little covers that you can get at the hardware store pretty good. They are usually off-white and generally make the machine fade away into the wall. We think that making the machine disappear is better than trying to "decorate" it, but some may disagree.

Here's a funky solution from ATChicago: Air Conditioner Cover by Leslie Fry.

In your case, however, you also should do a little fixing up of the enclosure so that it looks a little better all the time. We would apply some thin Luon tight around the machine and paint everything to match the wall.

While the AC is not glamourous, we'd say the main problem you are combatting is a visually busy and not tidy surrounding.

Anyone else?

Comments (4)

I have worked in the HVAC industry for 17 years. LISTEN TO MATILDA. She knows what she's talking about. God, if your apartment burns down, sue your landlord for being an absolute idiot. As for you Marie...'knock on wood'...you think you're so smart? You have put yourself in serious danger as well as everybody else living in your building. If your apartment catches on fire, all the people in your building can sue YOU for having installed an incorrect a/c improperly - you too Carrie in Brooklyn! Your landlord can even sue you for messing up his electrical. And consider the potential for water damage to your neighbors ceiling and mold and mildew - think people! AND NEVER EVER PUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF AN A/C WHILE IT IS TURNED ON. DON'T PUT ANYTHING ON THE FRONT OF AN A/C FOR ANY REASON EVER, NOT EVEN ANYTHING DECORATIVE. Not only are you putting yourself at risk (PEOPLE - THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH CONDENSATION - WATER! OKAY!!! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MIX ELECTRICITY WITH WATER??!!) you are doing something that will absolutely void your warranty. If your landlord has installed a window a/c into a wall sleeve meant for a wall a/c, turn him in to your city's building department officials. You'll get the right a/c pronto. And if the building officials won't respond, start a small claims suit. You can go to your nearby court house and request one. It's not difficult and it's a whole lot cheaper than an attorney, but it does take some time and bother. As soon as your landlord receives that summons, if he's smart, he'll come up with that a/c instead of bothering with court and those expenses.

vicky2cents makes a very good point. I am I'm buying a condo that has a swamp cooler and it looks so ugly. I found LG art cool to be interesting. I know it won't be feasible for a unit that is on the floor, but the location of my ugly swamp cooler is on the wall. I've contacted lg to see if it can work for this location

almost forgot the link http://www.artcoollg.com/

I dressed up my home with a dual purpose fine art piece decorative air conditioner cover. The painting will cover any ductless air conditioner unit that measures less than or equal to 16” height X 31" width X 9" depth . The front panel to the painting can be opened to allow the AC/Heat to flow unobstructed. The painting is vented at the top to allow normal intake air flow. The front panel must be open to run the air conditioner. The link is http://www.juliegudger.com/Incognito.html